Waitrose Responds to Viral Food Waste Videos with Investigation
Waitrose has launched an investigation following the emergence of viral social media videos that appear to show substantial amounts of food waste in bins behind its UK supermarkets. The footage, shared by an anonymous activist known as The Food Waste Inspector, has provoked widespread public anger, particularly given the retailer's reputation as one of Britain's most expensive supermarkets.
Shocking Discoveries in Supermarket Bins
Two separate videos posted on Instagram last week revealed what many have described as 'horrifying' waste. The first clip, filmed outside the Waitrose store in Chobham, Surrey, showed numerous packets of ham, most still within their use-by dates, discarded in large wheelie bins alongside premium ready meals, quiches, and fish cakes from brands like Charlie Bigham and Higgidy.
The second video, recorded outside a Waitrose in Harrow, displayed tins of Heinz and Branston baked beans with expiry dates extending to 2027, alongside containers of cottage cheese, cranberry juice cartons, potatoes, yoghurts, grapes, and fresh pasta. Many of these items appeared to be perfectly edible and were thrown away after store hours.
Public Outrage Over Expensive Waste
The videos have struck a nerve with social media users, especially considering the current cost of living crisis and widespread food poverty across the United Kingdom. With approximately 8.4 million people experiencing food insecurity nationwide, viewers expressed dismay at seeing high-value items being discarded.
Among the wasted products were Waitrose British Wiltshire Cured Oak Smoked Ham priced at £3.75 for 130g, Charlie Bigham ready meals costing £9.95 each, Heinz baked beans at £1.40 per tin, and fresh pasta bags retailing for £2.60. Many commenters questioned why this food couldn't be donated to food banks or distributed to homeless shelters instead of ending up in landfill.
Waitrose's Official Response
Waitrose has provided conflicting explanations for the waste shown in the two videos. Regarding the fresh meat products discovered in Chobham, the supermarket claims these items were 'no longer safe for human consumption' due to a broken cold storage chain and were awaiting collection for anaerobic digestion - a process that converts organic waste into energy.
However, the company admits it is still investigating the contents of the bins shown in the Harrow video and has expressed willingness to meet with The Food Waste Inspector to discuss his findings. A spokesperson stated: 'We continue to investigate the other film and would welcome the chance to meet The Food Waste Inspector to discuss his findings.'
Broader Context of UK Food Waste
This incident highlights the ongoing problem of food waste across Britain, where approximately 9.52 million tonnes of food are discarded annually - enough to feed more than 30 million people. The Food Waste Inspector, who has previously targeted retailers including Marks & Spencer and Lidl, has launched a petition calling for legislative changes that would require supermarkets to donate edible surplus to food banks and charities.
The petition, which has already garnered over 8,800 signatures, proposes implementing laws similar to those successfully enacted in France and Italy. Waitrose's own website states that tackling food waste is 'one of its priorities,' with commitments to work with FareShare to redistribute leftover food to local charities and to halve food waste in its supply chains by 2030.
As the investigation continues, this incident raises important questions about supermarket practices, food redistribution systems, and corporate responsibility during a period when many British households are struggling with food affordability.
